So close, we can smell mortgage freedom!

EssexHebridean

I got the survey too - I was very honest and reassured them that lots of things wouldn't put me off buying them - but nowhere did it give me the option to say "but all of this is irrelevant because they seem entirely pointless to me anyway!" so I don't think my data will be much use! 

themadvix

EssexHebridean said:

I got the survey too - I was very honest and reassured them that lots of things wouldn't put me off buying them - but nowhere did it give me the option to say "but all of this is irrelevant because they seem entirely pointless to me anyway!" so I don't think my data will be much use! 

Quite! That's the key thing, isn't it - and I hate it when surveys don't give you the opportunity to say 'I'd never buy this, regardless' (and being me, I'd usually like to tell them why too, but I get that they might not care about that!).

badmemory

I often wonder where the button is that says that I am retired so this can never apply to me now.  Some surveys seem to be very amateurish.  Too many people jumping on the bandwagon of ooh we must have a survey about this?

themadvix

Work is going well - I will definitely still have time to get to the allotment, which is great. Weather is pretty grey here though and not that warm!

I've found the dishwasher tablets I need on offer - out of stock at the moment, but have booked a delivery for them for later in the month. Will add a smaller, more expensive pack to someone else's order (Sis or MIL) to tide us over (we have 5 half tablets - slimline dishwasher/MSE tightness - left!). Have got a good deal on them so pleased about that (72 tabs for £12 instead of £19). They will last for another 6 months at least (3 packs ordered and will be cut in half). Annoyingly the ebay seller (for the shower gel) is away and I can't order - suspect that the price will go up when they get back too.

Have ordered a handlebar bag from ebay too - now the weather is getting warmer (maybe?) I will be going out without a coat more often and need to have somewhere in sight to put my phone/cards etc. It's going to be a tight fit on my already crowded handlebars, but I'll make it work.

Lunch now - more beans on toast to use up the tin (and more of the naff bread).

Karmacat

You're a marvel at how you juggle everything - and the car charging is *really* impressive.

themadvix

I think underemployed might be a better term for it KC! 😂 But the time allows me to do the juggling, which saves us money.

 Interesting Olio this evening - all week the girls have had smaller collections - less bread, just generally 20-50 items… tonight I had a whole box of bananas (120) and loads of bread and pastries! But everyone has gone away, so it’s exceptionally quiet…. I foresee the dehydrator coming out for the bananas! A total of 200+ items, so we’ve kept bananas, lunch for Mr MV (I’ve got leftovers of dinner and in all likelihood some veg sushi if I fancy it) and more pastries than we should have… Easter breakfasts though.

themadvix

I’m now waiting up until 11 as the man who brings eggs is coming to collect then - and is bringing eggs! I couldn’t say no… We have plenty on the fridge, but they are not the same!

facethemusic

When putting cats in carriers- if they are front opening carriers, put the cats in backwards. It is so much easier! 

themadvix

Morning all,

@facethemusic, I'm not sure about that with our two - they are very wise (and strong!). One is a top opening carrier, and barring grasping paws, there's not a lot they can do and with the other carrier (which really needs replacing tbh) we just throw treats in for Ginger cat and he follows, and a quick shove will see him unwittingly inside. It's the fact I have to lure them into the kitchen (where they can't hide) and lock us all in before Mr MV so much as touches the carriers that the tricky bit usually - otherwise B&W is under a bed and *not* coming out.

Lovely chicken-man Olioer delivered four lovely fresh eggs late last night We shall enjoy those over the weekend for breakfast I think. Dinner last night was masala carrots for Mr MV and masala parsnips for me - the parsnips worked well (Mr MV doesn't like them and there weren't enough carrots left for both of us). I've got leftovers for lunch today.

Forgot to mention that I did get to the allotment yesterday - planted some potatoes, spread the compost, and transported four of the dahlia stakes down there. One of the redcurrants has definitely died, so that needs to come out and I'll pop the gooseberry in there - just not looking forward to digging that up as it's hard soil and right next to the plum (I have similar feelings about getting the dahlia stakes in!). The redcurrant in our garden has also definitely died (we moved it last year and it didn't look happy after that), so we need to decide what we're going to put in there. Never fear though, still have two redcurrants at the allotment, plus a pinkcurrant and two blackcurrants  - no shortage of currants round here! Garlic and onions looking very healthy, as are the two remaining leeks... I don't really understand as I was fairly convinced I had allium leaf miner (having seen the larvae on the leeks). I am not complaining though - it's lovely to see it all looking healthy! Rhubarb in the garden is going mad as always - I may pick some to take as a gift at the weekend to my Aunt's. When I was planting potatoes, I found.... potatoes! A kilo's worth of perfectly good (slightly sprouty) ones, so they'll be used this week.

I have some work to do this morning - not very much (ETA I've done it - took less than two minutes, but I do get a good minimum fee!). It's raining currently though, so not really keen on either allotment or jobs in town I could be doing, but I may go out anyway. I need to post friend's birthday card regardless of weather. It looks like this afternoon will be drier, so I'll head out then. I also need to make the wild garlic naan to use the wild garlic up - I can freeze the breads and they will be delicious, but only if I get on with it today! Not sure what dinner will be as we're off to the pub later - possibly F&C, possibly something easy.

We are having lunch at the in-laws tomorrow and a BBQ on Sunday at Aunt's. Otherwise, the plan is to 'do the pond' - i.e. empty it and clean it (and take a proper census of how many little blighters we've got - hundreds it seems!) and also either start work on the lawn (it needs some serious levelling after the scaffolding last year) and/or the patio - we started renovations last year, but between Covids and Mr MV's back, we didn't get very far at all. I haven't told my clients it's a long weekend - the European ones have the holidays, but the Americans don't, so I may have some work to do over the weekend too.

MS things:
* Bananas! And Mr MV's lunch
* Clicks and HW done - no wins today
* YG survey
* Leftovers for my lunch 

Gratitudes:
* Broad beans are all coming up and looking healthy
* Birdsong at the allotment - it's alive
* Unexpected potatoes!

Have a good day and Easter weekend all!

ETA: Main client has just announced the arrival of some work, so I have something to keep me busy today. I will still pop out later on my bike though - a couple of bits to get.

EssexHebridean

Oh goodness no - I tried the backwards trick with HRH just the once - before rapidly realising that the main problematic sharp bits being at the front end meant that I definitely wanted those heading away from me ASAP! I have a feeling I still have a scar somewhere from that experiment! (I definitely still have one from the time we decided to introduce Mum & Dad's new dog to her mind you...think cat literally climbing the walls with one side's claws digging into plaster, the other front paw clinging to the curtain rail and a back leg flailing around wildly...)  Our best EVER purchase was an old fashioned wicker basket mind you (Charity shop - about a fiver as I recall) - with the entire front being the metal grille that opens, that meant we could stand it on end and drop her in head first - meaning we could get the grille shut by the time she'd had time to think "Hang about...!" and turn round! we may not still have cats, but we've hung on to the basket!  I can definitely identify with disappearing cats if the carriers are left in view too! 

Agree with your birdsong gratitude by the way - isn't it fab hearing all the singing at this time of year?! I heard and I *think* saw my first Blackcap of the year this morning, and there were Chiffchaffs absolutely all over the place at the RSPB reserve at the weekend!